When a person falls, panic is usually the first reaction. Afterward, you instinctively want to help them get up. Although you can do this, you must ensure that the person is okay after the slip and fall. How you react after a person falls can result in more injuries than the fall itself.
Therefore, what do you do when someone falls? This article will explain all the crucial steps to take when you witness a slip-and-fall accident and how you can help the person up without hurting them.
What’s the First thing to Do When Someone Falls?
When a person falls, your first response should be to rush over and check if they’re okay. Then, look closely and determine if anything near them could cause you to suffer injuries. The last thing needed is getting hurt while trying to help a fallen person.
If there is no danger around them, like a wet floor, you can proceed and calmly find out if they’re conscious. If they’re unconscious and not breathing, you need to start CPR and call for help. However, if the person is responsive, keep them in a conversation. Find out how they fell and if it was due to their own carelessness. Talking to them also helps you determine if something serious, like a fit or stroke, occurred.
What If They Suffered a Serious injury?
If the person suffered injuries due to the slip and fall accident, you need to take the proper steps to prevent the injuries from worsening. First, ask the victim if any area of their body hurts and carry out a visual check to see if you can see any apparent injuries.
If they have suffered spinal cord injuries or neck damage, do not move them. If there are signs of bleeding, use a clean pad or dressing and apply pressure to keep the person calm and stop the bleeding.
How to Help Them Stand Up
If there are no apparent or severe injuries, you should try to get them in a standing or sitting position. If they can stand by themselves, ensure they take their time and offer support when necessary to avoid dizziness or headaches.
Assist them to a chair or a bed and check them over once again to ensure there are no unseen injuries. This is especially important for diabetic patients who might not feel where they hurt themselves. It’s also important to watch the victim carefully for at least 24 hours and fill out an accident form.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you are the victim of a slip-and-fall accident or have witnessed a fall, don’t underestimate its severity. Even though no harm appears to have been done, you could experience after-effects, making it essential to see a doctor. Some of the reasons you should see a medical doctor include the following:
- Nausea and dizziness
- Loss of consciousness after the fall
- Injuries or a sharp and lingering pain
- Headaches and vision problems
- Drowsiness
- Overall weakness and unsteadiness
Can I file a claim for Slip and Fall Accidents?
When you suffer an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you can easily file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for damages. A fall on someone else’s property qualifies for a slip and fall claim. You can seek damages for medical bills, the cost of property damage, and pain and suffering.
A slip and fall case falls under premises liability, and you can sue the property owner for damages. Unless the property owner acted carefully, you can hold them liable for your fall.
According to the Legal Information Institute, “negligence” is simply a failure to behave with the level of care a person of ordinary prudence would have shown under the same circumstances. Therefore, if a property owner fails to ensure safety on their property and this results in serious injuries, you can seek a fair settlement for your injuries.
Some instances where property owners could be held liable for injuries include if your fall was caused by the following:
- Uneven surfaces
- Wet floors due to an accidental spill or mopping
- Leaking ceiling
- Improperly constructed staircases
- Frayed or bunched carpeting with a worn or torn spot
- Loose floorboards
- Poor lighting
- Poor housekeeping
- Defective sidewalks
The specifics of the property owner’s negligence depend on state laws. When you contact our law firm, we can help you navigate your personal injury case and seek compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster. You’re entitled to compensation if the slip and fall occurred on private or commercial property.
Damages You Can Recover in a Slip and Fall Case
If you suffer injuries on someone else’s property, you can easily file a personal injury claim and recover damages. Below are some of the damages you can recover from property owners when their negligence results in soft tissue injuries.
Medical Costs: It’s essential to seek immediate medical treatment after a slip-and-fall accident. Some injuries, like hip fractures, spinal cord injuries, and more, could be severe and require emergency room visits. In addition, you can recover the cost of past and future medical treatment, prescription drugs, and surgery.
Loss of Wages: Since the property owner is legally responsible for their property, you can also recover loss of wages and future wages from them if your slip and fall incident prevented you from working.
Pain and Suffering: If your fall injury caused you pain and suffering, you can obtain compensation from the negligent party’s insurance company.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you witnessed your loved one slip and fall, your reaction could make all the difference to their safety and health. If you follow the reasonable steps provided, you can deal with their fall more efficiently and safely.
If you suffered a slip and fall incident on someone’s property, you could simply file a slip and fall claim against the person. At Michael Alan Siddons Law Firm, we’ll explain your legal options over a free consultation to help you recover compensation. We understand how severe slip and fall accidents can be and don’t want you to bear the burden alone. So please contact us today to learn about your legal rights.
